Xena''s POV


    "I really appreciate it," I said, turning to give him a tight hug. He held me close for a few seconds before releasing me.


    "We''d better get going. Your brunch starts in five minutes," Ryder sald, his green eyes taking in my appearance with appreciation.


    "Okay.


    We walked toward the door and then down the stairs to the kitchen As we entered the dining room, everyone shouted, "Happy birthday!"


    "Thank you!" I said to everyone, but made a beeline straight for Logan, wrapping him in a big hug.


    "Happy for you, sis," he whispered in my ear.


    "Thanks. Did you find your mate?" I asked, silently hoping my brother could be as happy as I was.


    "No, but it''s not Keira. I saw her earlier and she ran off crying," Logan said, releasing me, then shaking hands with Ryder.


    Dad walked over and hugged me, then also shook hands with Ryder. Even Ryder''s parents were present.


    "Wee to our family," Alpha Benedict said to me while sping Ryder''s hand.


    "Thank you! I''m happy to be part of this pack," I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt.


    "Let me see!" Ama squealed.


    I pulled the side of my dress aside slightly to show them my mark.


    "Nice!" Logan said.


    "Fifty dors for you," Amaughed, looking at me.


    I shook my head and kissed her cheek. "Thanks, Ama."


    Ama''s eyes instantly welled with tears. "You look so beautiful today!" she said, her voice excited and trembling as she pulled me to the table. "I''m starving. Can we start eating?"


    "Of course!"


    Everyone sat around the table. It was covered with various foods that actually made my appetitee alive. I grabbed a te of Caesar chicken sd and a ss of water.


    "How''s the renovation going?" I asked Dad.


    "I had to call Penelope to help since you weren''t there. She arranged everything perfectly," Logan answered instead of Dad.


    Ah, she is amazing, agreed.


    "I''ll check on the progress after we eat," Dad added.


    "I see someone helped clear out your shop, Alpha Benedict said to me.


    "Ryder and Logan organized in yes, they got the shop cleaned up. We selected the design yesterday."


    "It should be ready in about a week, Ryder nodded.


    "Sounds great!" Alpha Benedict said, his tone seeming overly cheerfu


    Looking around, everyone appeared too happy. Their smiles seemed a bit too wide. My intuition sharpened, sensing something was off-something wasn''t right.


    I looked questioningly at Ryder, who immediately refused to meet my eyes. "Damn it, Ryder muttered.


    "What the hell is going on here?" I asked everyone.


    "What do you mean?" Logan


    asked.


    My eyes fixed directly on him. "Cut the bullshit. What happened?"


    Logan sighed. "Told you, man," he said


    Ryder.


    "I know." Ryder exhaled the breath he''d been holding and turned to face me. "Tatum and his high-ranking wolves... they''reing to the party tonight. He''s requested a dance with you."


    My heart sank to my stomach. Tatum, thest person I wanted to see, the enemy who had tried to harm us. The thought of dancing with him made me sick. What made me angrier was that everyone had chosen to hide this from me.


    "So you all nned to keep this from me?" I looked at each of them, feeling betrayed.


    "Just until after lunch. I was going to tell you before your massage, Ama looked ashamed.


    "Do I have to do this?" I looked at Ryder, hoping for a negative answer.


    "No, you don''t have to," he nced at his father, then answered firmly.


    That made me feel somewhat better, but my stomach still felt uneasy. I knew I couldn''t refuse-this was about the safety of the entire pack and our ns.


    "We''re trying to maintain peace on the surface..." Dad began to exin.


    I understood what that meant. Pretend to be friendly until we strike back. epting the reality, I forked more sd into my mouth. Deep inside, I was struggling between my disgust for Tatum and my responsibility to my family and pack.


    "Xena..." Ryder reached out and began gently stroking my back. Strangely, it actually helped calm me down.


    "It''s fine, I''ll do it," Ipromised, though my heart was still filled with resistance. "X, you-" Logan started to say.


    "I said it''s fine. Drop it," I snapped, cutting him off. But I immediately felt guilty for my attitude. I knew they all meant well, for me, for the n, for the pack. My temper was really awful sometimes.


    I''m sorry," I stood up and quickly walked out of the kitchen into the hallway bathroom. Taking a deep breath, I tried to steady my nerves. I needed a moment alone, needed to collect my thoughts.


    "Xena?" Ryder was at the door.


    "Come in." My hands were braced on the sink as I stared at myself the mirror. The new Luna, the once solitary %.


    Ryder opened the door but didn''t approach me. Instead, he leaned against the wall.


    "Are you okay?" he asked softly, his eyes full of concern.


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